Dryden Council has tentatively agreed to suspend penalties and finance charges on amounts owing on property taxes and water and sewer bills until June 30th.
The COVID-19 relief was scheduled to expire at the end of April.
Mayor Greg Wilson fully supports the decision.
“I think it’s a prudent step that we take. We know that people are going to have a difficult time paying their bills.”
He adds “It’s going to cost us something but we can always change our path should we get to mid-June and decide we need to take some other course of action. But I think it’s prudent right now to go forward with this.”
Councillor Michelle Price fully supports the measure but would like to see it go one step further.
“Other businesses that are not operating at all and still are paying the base rate on water and sewer and they have no income coming in whatsoever.”
Price is suggesting the elimination of the base rate for impacted businesses.
“I know it’s understandable to say that we don’t know which businesses are closed down 100%. We don’t know which businesses are getting government help. But there are businesses that do not qualify for the CERB and other government funding.”
Councillor Shayne MacKinnon suggested a reduction in the fixed water and sewer rate for everyone.
Treasurer Steven Lansdell-Roll cautions a 20% reduction would cost the City $32,800 each month.
No other relief options are being considered at this time, but council and staff will be monitoring the situation on a consistent basis.
The updated COVID-19 relief measure is expected to be approved at the April 27th “virtual” Council meeting.
